NEW SURVEY SHOWS MOST CHILDREN DON'T THINK WINNING IS IMPORTANT!

This morning, on BBC Breakfast, https://www.facebook.com/bbcbreakfast there was an article on sport and competitiveness in school. This is from their page:

"A new survey has found only 14% of kids think winning is the most important part of sport, while the majority of them think their parents care more about winning than they do!
So, should school sport be all about being the best, or is it the taking part that counts?"

I think everyone agrees, some competition is a healthy thing, and, as so many viewers wrote on the Breakfast page, you have to learn to lose in life to survive. 

But sometimes, the pressure of competition may spoil a child's enjoyment of their activity, whether it is sport, an academic subject or a leisure activity. Feeling the answers always have to be right stops some children from offering the answers in the first place. Always seeing the 'best' children answering questions or getting top marks and being praised for it can destroy a child's confidence. Maybe only a little bit at a time but a significant amount during a school year.

Here at the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy there are no 'stars' or, rather, every child is a star. We are at the beginning of our production term when Principals and teachers are casting their plays and starting rehearsals. In these year end plays, every child has an active role. Even if they have no individual lines to say on their own, all children will take part in ad-lib sections, join in 'all' lines, and belt out show songs with gusto! Not to mention acting and re-acting to whatever is happening on stage. Every single one of them is a big part of something positive and successful.

Our teachers are trained to involve every child, all the time. Each little actor will receive an award after their shows, either to mark the term's work or to celebrate an anniversary with the Academy. Some young adults are up to an award for the 16th year attending classes. 

The cast of 'Circus Capers' with their achievement awards.

As youngsters, they return year after year not only because they are having so much fun but also because their parents see a difference in their confidence. They are becoming that child who will raise his/her hand in class, and not worry if the answer they give isn't technically correct. They are volunteering to read aloud in assembly and acting as a mentor to shyer children in their class. As young adults they may choose to pursue their love of drama and Helen O'Grady classes will give them an excellent grounding for this but, equally, they will have a good grounding in whatever they choose to do in life.

All this from attending drama classes where they are constantly valued and encouraged. Where there are no wrong answers and they will gain as much praise from their peers as they do from their teachers. As productions get under way we wish all our Principals, teachers and students good luck with rehearsals and we look forward to hearing the success stories during the term, as well as after the shows.

Please do share any stories on the blog with us, if you have already seen Helen O'Grady productions.

END OF TERM AT THE ACADEMY

With the end of term already here, in some areas, the children in our classes have been showing off their new skills in their parent day presentations. The circus play was a popular theme for these shows this term!

Very colourful outfits for parent days!

The children love their classes and parents love the results! Principals received excellent feedback. Our Norwich Principal received the following in an email:

"We would like to thank you so much for all you have done for Max over the past couple of years. I have to tell you about his school Christmas play! Max only had a couple of solo lines but he didn't just say the punchline; he delivered it; he ACTED it. 

Max completely took to you and your methods of teaching and we believe what he has learnt from you has helped in so many ways. I know he will carry many pleasant memories and experiences forward with him, not least the desire to perform. With the confidence he now has, getting up in front of a crowd is something he will never struggle with again. Thanks for everything!"

SEE OUR CLASSES IN ACTION!

See how a self development programme through fun based drama activities can help children and adults improve their confidence, self esteem, language and communication skills.

PRODUCTIONS 2012

As the Academy heads towards the Easter break, Principals are preparing for the end of year productions coming up in Term 3.

This is a very exciting time of the year for all students. Terms 1 and 2 offer our popular and unique curriculum, teaching our self development programme. The culmination of these is seen at the end of the school year in the summer shows. No matter how long they have been attending classes, all students can be part of something positive and successful. Every child in the Academy is a star and they all have their moment in the limelight in June and July.

Three exciting plays are on offer for each age group. In Lower Primary (age 5 to 8 years), children could be ants in "The Grasshopper And The Ants" or woodland creatures in "The Hare And The Tortoise". The third possible play for this age group is a Dutch folk tale "Lazy Lak".

Upper Primary (9 to 12 year olds) could be heading down to Mexico in the colourful "Fiesta In Triesta", at the Egyptian Museum in "The Curse Of The Pharaohs" or in lavish fancy dress with some strange aliens in "Fancy That!"





































Teenagers in Youth Theatre classes could find themselves confronting the media at a press conference for the latest film in "The Perfect Scandal". They could be part of the Muscle Mob in "The Legend Of Tim Sandy" or simply waiting for a train in "The Waiting Room".


























There are still places in many classes around the UK. Visit our website to find the classes closest to you. No experience is necessary and there are no auditions. To be part of the fun, you just need to be part of the class!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR READERS!

It looks like 2012 will be an exciting and challenging year for young Stroud mum, Rosie Reynolds, as she takes over as new Principal of the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy in Gloucestershire, just months after her first baby, Barney, was born.

24 year old Rosie studied drama at Coventry University where her speciality was the use of drama as an educational tool, perfectly equipping her for her new role as Principal!

Rosie, who taught with the Academy while ex-Principal Nikki Flack was in charge, sais: "I am very proud and excited to be taking over in Gloucestershire. The exciting after school and Saturday classes are great fun! I totally believe in the programme and the benefits it has for children of all ages.

Rosie, who starts classes on Tuesday 1oth January, can be contacted on 01453 756039 or email glos@helenogrady.co.uk We wish her the best of luck!

BBC CHILDREN IN NEED 2011

Once again, this year, the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy is fundraising for BBC Children In Need. Wednesday 9th November sees the start of NATIONAL TALKING WEEK! across the UK, when students will be talking, in their classes, on a given topic, for an allocated amount of time.

Last year, through the sponsored talking, we raised more than £30,000 for the charity and were lucky enough to present a cheque, live on air, to Sir Terry Wogan.

Schools are getting involved too, with drama teachers running special classes to hear the children talk. The Academy's aim is to develop children's confidence and skill in verbal communication so what better way than talking to raise money for other children less fortunate than themselves?

For full information download a leaflet here and print a sponsor form to start raising money now. Full details are on the literature, with instructions of what to do with the money when you have raised it.

Thank you - on behalf of the Academy - for your help and an even bigger THANK YOU on behalf of BBC Children In need.

TALKING FOR PUDSEY!

Lower Primary children in Chewton Mendip, Somerset, celebrated their National Talking Day! this week by inviting parents to attend class to listen to their prepared two minute speeches. The teacher offered the children the opportunity to speak in front of everyone and 5 year old Amy took on the challenge. She was speaking about why she liked being a child in her family. Amy only joined the Academy this term and mum was delighted she had the confidence to commit her talk to film!

The class was a great success, and parents were very generous with their sponsor money, raising more than £250 in total, which will go towards the national target of £50,000.

International Franchisors at Thornbury Castle

For the first time this summer, Franchisors from around the world gathered in Bristol to discuss a very exciting future! Helen O'Grady (CI) Ltd. has recently taken over the world wide rights to Helen O'Grady International and hosted this first Seminar. Visitors from all parts of the globe visited Thornbury Castle in South Gloucestershire after the meetings to celebrate their success.

National Director, Nigel Le Page, now Owner and Licensor of the Helen O'Grady Drama System, said: "We had a very productive two days. All of us have the same passion for offering the best to the children who attend our classes, which are the only ones guaranteed to develop children's self esteem and skill in verbal communication. It was a privilege to work with so many positive people. Together, we can take the Academy forward into the future with confidence."